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But the Daytona Beach, Fla., native decided to take a bigger payday from a Grizzlies squad that won 50 games last year and beat the Mavs in the final regular-season game to secure the Western Conference’s No. 7 seed.

Carter was an efficient player off the bench last season, averaging 11.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in 24.4 minutes per game. He also shot 40.7 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.

Carter’s loss means the Mavs need another perimeter shooter.

The Mavs also are in talks with representatives of small forward Luol Deng just in case the Rockets match the offer sheet to Parsons. Lance Stephenson, D.J. Augustin, Eric Bledsoe, Chris Andersen and Mo Williams are other free agents who remain on the Mavs’ radar.

The Miami Heat are closing in on a deal to sign Deng.

Trevor Ariza was also high on the Mavs’ list. But the Rockets signed the Washington Wizards’ free agent small forward to a four-year, $32 million contract on Saturday.

Houston’s acquisition of Ariza gives the Mavs hope that the Rockets will not match the three-year, $46 million offer sheet they gave Chandler Parsons on Thursday.

Houston has until 11 p.m. Sunday to make a decision on Parsons, who could be lost by the Rockets to the Mavs without any compensation. The Rockets, according to reports, are still unsure whether to just allow Parsons to go to the Mavs.

Carter spent the majority of his 16-year career with the Toronto Raptors. Carter, 37, joined the Mavs on Dec. 12, 2011.

For the Mavs, Carter mainly played both small forward and shooting guard and was one of the leaders in the locker room.

He also talked repeatedly throughout last season about returning to Dallas and playing his final days with the Mavs.